From its foundation in 1768 the Royal Academy of Arts has provided a voice for art and artists. We are an independent charity led by eminent artists and architects—the Royal Academicians—and we pursue our mission through exhibitions, education and debate.

Careers at the RA

Where could your talent take you?

Careers at the RA

Like any leading organisation, we know how important it is to value the people who do the hard work day in, day out.

Working here

It is the dedicated and talented people behind the scenes who help make what we do possible. You might be surprised by the variety and scope of the opportunities here at the RA. From art handlers to fundraisers, event managers to accountants, we are a diverse group of people committed to delivering the highest standards to our visitors.

We offer a number of unique benefits including free entry to exhibitions across London, discounts in our shops and cafés, exclusive after hours family and friends events in the galleries, free life drawing classes, a staff gallery and much more.

Working here is to be part of a very special community and we pride ourselves on making sure our staff feel valued.

We host some of the world’s most celebrated exhibitions, are home to Britain’s first art school, and have big plans for the future. Come and be a part of our story.

Video

What's it like working at the RA?

Watch our video to find out more.

A day in the life of an RA staff member

Each month, we chat to a member of staff to find out what it’s like to work for the RA.

This month, we spoke to Morgan Feely, the RA’s Collections Manager for Works on Paper as he prepares for an exhibition of Eileen Cooper RA’s drawings in the Tennant Gallery.

Current vacancies

Grants Manager (fixed term contract)

We are looking for an experienced and highly-ambitious Grants Manager to join the Capital Campaigns Team. In the run up to the RA’s 250th anniversary, this is an exceptional opportunity to join the Academy at a pivotal moment and to make a major contribution to one of the most significant Capital Campaigns in the UK.

An exceptional person, you will be motivated and willing to help us reach the largest fundraising tagret in our history, whilst helping to lead on the trusts strategy for the next stage of the Campaign. Importantly, the role will also involve acting as the main contact for the Heritage Lottery Fund for phase one and ensuring the integration of capital works and HLF Activity Plan across the RA.

You will possess at least 4 years’ experience of trust fundraising. You will have a thorough and up-to-date knowledge of significant trusts, foundations, livery companies and funding bodies who are sympathetic to the arts. With a proven track record of successfully securing five and six figure gifts, you will have researched, identified and cultivated potential donors. Your written skills will be fluent, convincing and persuasive, to ensure successful applications.

Socially confident, diplomatic, with strong advocacy skills, you will be very comfortable at social events, unafraid of initiating contact and building relationships with sponsors and funding bodies. Well organised, highly numerate with strong attention to detail, you will be able to gather and present complex information succinctly and clearly.

An appreciation of the visual arts is preferred, along with a commitment to the vision of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Candidates must complete an application form to be considered for this position.

Senior Press Officer (fixed term contract)

The Royal Academy of Arts is one of the UK’s foremost arts institutions, famous for its world-class exhibitions including The Real Van Gogh, David Hockney: A Bigger Picture and Sensing Spaces: Architecture Reimagined. It is a particularly exciting time in our history. As we approach our 250th anniversary in 2018, we are making major investments in our physical and digital infrastructure, and transforming our offer and public programme.

The Communications team creates and implements campaigns to promote the activities of the Academy, most notably its high profile exhibitions programme. An exciting and rare opportunity for an exceptional individual has arisen to join the team as its temporary Senior Press Officer.

You will possess a successful track record of coordinating and implementing press campaigns ideally in the cultural/arts sector, with specific and robust experience of editorial campaigns, budget management, copy writing and project management. You will be highly organised and diligent, be comfortable working at pace and possess a creative flair and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Candidates must complete an application form to be considered for this position.

Closing date for applications: Sunday, 2 August 2015 (midnight)
Interviews to be held: 10 and 11 August 2015

Curatorial Assistant

The Royal Academy of Arts is one of the UK’s foremost arts institutions, famous for our world-class exhibitions including The Real Van Gogh, David Hockney: A Bigger Picture and Sensing Spaces: Architecture Reimagined. It is a particularly exciting time in our history. As we approach our 250th anniversary in 2018, we are embarking upon a series of major investments that will transform our physical and digital infrastructure and our public offer. An ambitious ‘Masterplan’ by David Chipperfield RA will redevelop our 2.5 acre campus in Mayfair, uniting our two buildings and providing refurbished galleries, a state-of-the-art auditorium, a new learning centre and a dedicated Collections gallery in Burlington Gardens, and enabling greater public visibility of the art school at the heart of the Academy.

An exciting opportunity as Curatorial Assistant has arisen in the Curatorial team, part of the wider Exhibitions Department. In this role, you’ll support both internal and guest Curators throughout the process of information gathering, organisation, presentation and delivery of temporary loan exhibitions.

Strong research and administrative skills are essential, ideally gained in a museum or gallery environment, as well as a Masters degree in History of Art or equivalent. You must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to build networks both internally and externally. The ability to speak another European language would be advantageous.

This role will require you to be adaptable and willing to take on a range of tasks, as well as flexible with out of hours working, for example, to attend events or supervise exhibition installations.

Candidates must complete an application form to be considered for this position.

Closing date for applications: 7 August 2015 (midnight)
Interviews to be held: 20 and 21 August 2015

Exhibition Manager, Summer Exhibition & Contemporary Projects

An essential part of the London art calendar, the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition is the largest open contemporary art exhibition in the world, drawing together a wide range of new and recent work by established, unknown and emerging artists. It is also one of the largest art fairs in the world and makes a significant commercial contribution to the Academy.

An exciting and rare opportunity for an exceptional individual has arisen to join the team as Summer Exhibition Manager. This position is responsible for other Royal Academy exhibitions throughout the year, principally Royal Academician member shows.

Highly organised and a talented project manager, the successful candidate will possess a thorough knowledge and experience of organising exhibitions, with a meticulous approach to budget management and schedule planning. They must also have excellent attention to detail.

Personable and diplomatic, the successful candidate will be a first class communicator. They must be able to build strong relationships internally and with Royal Academicians and external stakeholders.

This is likely to suit a Masters graduate of Museum and Gallery studies or similar. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a genuine interest and knowledge of the visual arts and a sound understanding and knowledge of the Royal Academy of Arts.

Closing date for applications: 30 August 2015 (midnight)
Interviews to be held: 7 and 8 September 2015

Stay in touch

How to apply

What to do next

If you are interested in any of our vacancies and feel you meet the criteria, send your completed application form, with the job title clearly stated in the subject line, to:
recruitment@royalacademy.org.uk

If you haven’t been contacted by us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

If you are offered the position, you will be required to provide official documentation to confirm your right to work in the UK and details of two referees.

We strive to ensure that opportunities at the RA are open to all. We treat all job
applications equally - regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic.

Other opportunities

Work Experience Placements

We work closely with several London boroughs to provide valuable work experience for students. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept speculative applications.

Volunteering

We really value the team of dedicated volunteers who help us carry out our mission. At the moment, we don’t have any volunteer vacancies, but we have plans to develop our volunteering programme in the future – check back here or follow us on Twitter for the latest.

Internships & apprenticeships

From time to time we offer internships and apprenticeships and when we do, they will be advertised here. If you are interested in a student internship at the RA as a requirement of your course, please get in touch via internships@royalacademy.org.uk

Staff benefits

Pay
We offer competitive salaries with annual reviews.

Holiday
We appreciate that regular holiday is essential for you to be at your best. Our staff enjoy 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, as well as three additional days’ leave over the Christmas period.

Season ticket loan
After your first three months at the RA, you can apply for an interest-free season ticket loan to cover the cost of a travel season ticket.

Life insurance
We appreciate the importance of life insurance, and you will receive cover at three times your salary.

Exhibitions
For each RA exhibition, you will be invited to a preview talk from the curator, and naturally you can visit our exhibitions as many times as you like.

Staff can walk their friends and family into our exhibitions with their staff pass. They are also invited to our popular triannual Friends and Family evenings.

You can visit exhibitions for free at many other arts institutions and museums across London, the UK and New York. We want to maximise your cultural opportunities whilst working at the RA.

Staff benefits

Childcare vouchers
We offer the option to purchase Childcare vouchers as a salary sacrifice so that you can take advantage of tax and national insurance incentives.

Employee Assistant Programme
Staff and their family can take advantage of the confidential EAP. This is a free advice line available 24/7 providing both practical advice on legal, financial and every day issues, and emotional support, including up to six face-to-face counselling sessions.

Give as you earn
You can donate to your favourite charity directly from your pre-tax earnings.

Events
Free access to cultural events, organised by the RA and other institutions, and of course an invitation to our legendary, themed staff Christmas party.

Discount
Whether you need a greetings card or fancy afternoon tea, you can take advantage of discounts in the various RA restaurants, cafés and RA shops.

Cycle to work scheme
For the benefit of both you and the environment, a loan for the purchase of a bicycle is available through the Cycle to Work scheme. We have staff showers too.

Life drawing classes
On Tuesday evenings staff of all abilities can attend classes guided by the gentle tuition from an experienced artist in the Schools’ beautiful and historic Life Drawing Room.

Staff choir
Our choir, in partnership with Music in Offices, rehearses on Thursday lunchtimes with regular performances throughout the year. 2014 will see us enter the Office Choir of the Year competition.

Weekly fruit delivery
Each Tuesday fresh fruit is delivered to the office to help you towards your 5 a day.

Employee voice
Through the Ambassador scheme, regular Show & Tell sessions and a weekly staff news bulletin, the employee voice is loud and clear.

Reaching your potential

Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about allowing staff to grow and fulfil their potential. Recent initiatives include:

Inspiring Managers
A year-long programme for all managers covering a range of topics from leading a team to managing budgets and projects.

Inspiring Employees
Monthly lunch and learn sessions open to all, featuring guest speakers such as Harvard Business Review award winner and London Business School professor, Rob Goffee.

Training for individuals or teams
From British Sign Language to ACCA financial certification to History of Art evening classes at the Sotheby’s Institute to public speaking, we help staff to acquire and hone the skills they
need to reach their potential.

Lunch & Learn lecture, Why should anyone be led by you? with London Business School’s Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Rob Goffee.

Piccadilly site

Burlington Gardens site

A voice for art and artists since 1768

The Royal Academy of Arts is an independent charity and does not receive revenue funding from government. We are entirely reliant upon the support of visitors, our loyal Friends, Patrons, donors and sponsors to continue our work. Your support is our future.